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New Technologies Help Newtown Seniors Remain Behind The Wheel Longer

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- New AAA research discloses auto technologies and safe driving habits that are helping older motorists remain behind the wheel longer, the AAA Foundation announced.

New in-car technologies such as navigation assistance, forward collision warnings, and back-up cameras will considerably reduce the potential for crashes among drivers age 65 and older.

New in-car technologies such as navigation assistance, forward collision warnings, and back-up cameras will considerably reduce the potential for crashes among drivers age 65 and older.

Photo Credit: Daniel Case/Wikimedia

New in-car technologies such as navigation assistance, forward collision warnings, and back-up cameras will considerably reduce the potential for crashes among drivers age 65 and older. Couple these technologies with good-driving strategies and seniors will greatly minimize their driving risk on roadways, the studies conclude. 

Today, there are a record 36 million adult drivers over 65 years of age on the road and that number is expected to increase substantially over the next decade, the AAA Foundation said. Studies show that senior drivers who do give up their keys are nearly two times more likely to experience depression and five times more likely to enter a long-term care facility. 

In the study, "Keeping Older Adults Driving Safely: A Research Synthesis of Advanced In-Vehicle Technologies," researchers determined six advanced vehicle technologies provided high value for older adults by potentially reducing crashes and improving the ease and comfort of driving: 

Forward collision warnings systems help prevent crashes by warning drivers of a potential collision or by automatically applying the brakes. For older drivers, this technology can improve reaction times and reduce crashes by up to 20 percent, according to the study. 

Automatic crash notification systems alert emergency services if a crash occurs. Older drivers are more likely to suffer from a crash’s serious effects because of their age, which means these systems can provide a greater safety benefit to seniors. 

Park assist with rearview display technology includes backup cameras and obstacle-detection warning systems. These can prevent crashes when pulling out of a parking space. 

Parking assist with cross-traffic warning systems use radar sensor technology to notify drivers of crossing vehicles when backing out of parking spaces. In some vehicles, the systems automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. 

Semi-autonomous parking assistance systems take over steering while moving into a parallel parking space, which can reduce stress and make parking easier for older drivers. 

Navigation assistance systems, which offer turn-by-turn GPS navigation systems provides older drivers with increased feelings of safety, confidence, attentiveness and relaxation. 

By coupling these technologies with good driving strategies, older adults can further extend their driving career, the AAA Foundation concluded. 

For more info visit, aaa.com/driverimprovement

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